i'm kind of small and i was wondering if anyone knew what basses are a little smaller so i could play them easier that would be much appreciated.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
smaller basses
- Thread starter LizzieBurns
- Start date
Depends what you mean by smaller. Do a search on short scale basses as there are several threads with lists of all the shorties. Plus sometimes it's an ergonomic issue; keeping your fretting hand wrist straighter will increase the useable reach between frets. usually this means having the bass more vertical/upright from the 2:00-2:30 position most people hold it at.
there's a crazy 70s bass made by a company called "Satellite" at my school. I don't suppose you'd have any luck finding one so this is all sort of irrelevant, but it's got a very short scale length, and is practically as long as a guitar, with a smaller body.
it plays really nicely, it's very light, and easy to swing about. however a short scale bass takes some getting used to; you might want to try one out.
it plays really nicely, it's very light, and easy to swing about. however a short scale bass takes some getting used to; you might want to try one out.
There are lots of smaller, lighter basses out there. most are short scale; beware of basses with a small body and 34" scale neck - they will almost always be neck-divers.
These come to mind:
Epiphone EB-0 and EB-3
Rogue VB-100 Beatle Bass (similar models available from Jay Turser, Brice and others)
Gretsch Thunder Jet (their older Electromatic model is small, too)
Fender Mustang
Squier Bronco
Danelectro basses
There are more, and if you buy used you'll find many options and models. For instance, do a search on Ebay for the terms 'short scale bass". Most of what you find will be smaller, lighter basses in 30" or 32" scale.
These come to mind:
Epiphone EB-0 and EB-3
Rogue VB-100 Beatle Bass (similar models available from Jay Turser, Brice and others)
Gretsch Thunder Jet (their older Electromatic model is small, too)
Fender Mustang
Squier Bronco
Danelectro basses
There are more, and if you buy used you'll find many options and models. For instance, do a search on Ebay for the terms 'short scale bass". Most of what you find will be smaller, lighter basses in 30" or 32" scale.
Violin basses, not only are they short scale but they have incredibly small necks in every way.
So, very small but the tight string spacing can be a problem.
So, very small but the tight string spacing can be a problem.
My latest purchase..... '70's Fender Musicmaster which is a 30" scale bass. Available for under $500 if you look hard enough and the playability is amazing. Kinda a Precision feel but the shortscale makes it really easy to play. Much easier to play than my Fender Stu Hamm (32" scale) or my Gibson SG (30.5").
They sound great too.
They sound great too.
